U2’s Bono calls for Israel to be ‘released’ from Netanyahu

The Irish musician made the statement at the Ivor Novello Awards, and called on Hamas to release all remaining hostages still being held in Gaza. (AFP file photo)
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Updated 23 May 2025
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U2’s Bono calls for Israel to be ‘released’ from Netanyahu

  • Singer tells country to shun ‘far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts’
  • Calls for protection of aid workers: ‘They’re the best of us’

LONDON: U2 singer Bono has called for Israel to be “released from (Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right fundamentalists.” 

The Irish musician made the statement at the Ivor Novello Awards, and called on Hamas to release all remaining hostages still being held in Gaza.

At the ceremony in London on Thursday, the singer said: “Peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations. Lord knows there’s a few of them out there right now. 

“Hamas: Release the hostages. Stop the war. Israel: Be released from Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts. All of you protect our aid workers, they’re the best of us.”

U2, who were at the ceremony to be honored with an Academy Fellowship, then performed their song “Bloody Sunday,” which references the massacre of peaceful protesters by British troops in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, in 1972.

It is the first time that Bono, who received the Peace Summit Award at the 2008 Nobel Peace Laureates Summit, has spoken publicly about Netanyahu since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.

His words coincided with criticism of the prime minister by a number of Western leaders over Israel’s approach to the war, with international bodies warning that Gaza faces famine following an 11-week blockade on aid entering the Palestinian enclave.


Gigi Hadid introduces sun-washed knitwear in new Guest in Residence drop

Updated 14 February 2026
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Gigi Hadid introduces sun-washed knitwear in new Guest in Residence drop

DUBAI: US Dutch Palestinian model Gigi Hadid this week released the first drop of her brand Guest in Residence’s spring/summer collection.

The pictures she shared with her 79.5 million followers on Instagram showed that the new offerings lean into relaxed, sun-washed dressing, blending the brand’s signature knitwear with a more playful, resort-ready mood.

The collection features lightweight cardigans, cropped knits and long-sleeve tops paired with knit shorts, relaxed trousers and soft lounge pieces designed for warm weather.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid)

A palette of coastal blues, butter yellow, soft red, cream and pastel tones runs throughout, complemented by subtle stripes and textured finishes.

Across the images, knits are layered over swimwear or styled as coordinated sets, aligning with the collection’s casual, seasonal direction.

Hadid wrote on Instagram that the newly launched products are now available in stores and retailers worldwide.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid)

The model and entrepreneur’s latest drop was a collaboration with Moon Boot, the Italian snow boot brand. Released in November, Hadid and the brand dropped 16 designs for winter.

A week before that, she launched her winter collection that expanded Guest in Residence’s knitwear offering with cold-weather staples designed for layering.

The range included chunky scarves with fringe finishes, ribbed beanies, knitted socks, striped sweaters, zip-neck tops and relaxed knit polos, alongside straight-leg trousers and casual separates.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid)

A muted winter palette of red, cream, brown, forest green and blue ran throughout, with stripes and textured knits adding visual contrast.

Hadid launched her clothing label, which features soft, colorful knitwear, in September 2022.

“Over the last handful of years, I didn’t want to be backed into starting my own line just because there was an offer on the table or a deal to be made,” she wrote to her followers on Instagram at the time.

“The earliest days of Guest in Residence came about when I started to question the cashmere market, and those answers gave me a path,” she added.

“I believe that because of its sustainable qualities — natural and made to cherish and to pass down — cashmere is a luxury that should be more accessible.”

Celebrities including Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Swift and Bradley Cooper have been spotted wearing the label’s designs.